Legendary Teacher, Jaime Escalante

I was inspired by the story of this Bolivian born teacher who showed up at Garfield high school in the 1980's and took what seemed to be an impossible pool of students and inspired them to break out of the negative stereotypes associated with inner city schools. Mr. Escalante took class after class of students through high level calculus courses against all odds, receiving high scores on Advanced Placement exams. His story was made into a movie called Stand and Deliver.


He is now into his late '70's and is battling cancer. Edward Olmos, who portrayed Escalante in the movie has taken it upon himself to make an appeal to help the retired teacher with the costs associated with his care. According to the news story, Mr. Escalante has depleted all of his funds. Olmos' hope is to help him beat back the cancer, or at least give him the highest level of care to be comfortable in his closing days of life. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.